We're a geek couple living in PA with our two boys -- Milo and Otis -- who are short, orange, and furry. Oh, and they're the cats we're bookended by! We love music, movies, TV, comics, books, and comic cons. And, from time to time, we'll share our thoughts on these nerdy things.

Friday, September 13, 2019

[An Affair Less Remembered] -- Another Friday the 13th has rolled around, and I briefly thought about a horror or bad luck theme to honor the rare occasion when the Flashback crosses paths with Friday the 13th. But, no, I'm not going there. Instead, I'm going to tell you about a record that is celebrating its 30th anniversary on this date: Tina Turner's seventh solo album, Foreign Affair (1989). It launched six different singles, only two of which were able to crack the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The album itself peaked at #31 on the US Billboard 200. And while the record sold over 6 million copies, it was not as commercially successful as her two prior outings, Private Dancer (1984) and Break Every Rule (1986). You don't recall Foreign Affair? Well, I'm sure you remember one single from it. Let's see if you do; just read and hear more after the jump.

(Note: The last time a confluence of Flashback and Friday the 13th occurred was 10/13/2017, and I didn't do a 13-themed post then either).

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

A friend of mine was worried when she saw I was attending a Lucifer convention. She did not realize it was for the TV show Lucifer.

We flew to LA and stayed right at LAX. We didn't say in the convention hotel but we easily walked to it. The convention hotel was the Hyatt Regency and it was a lovely hotel and the ballroom we were in worked out very well. It was small and intimate with good sound and our seats were very good too.

This was a Creation Entertainment convention and I always go Gold because it is always worth every penny and this was no exception. We were close to the stage, we got all but one autograph included and we had a special Gold panel on Sunday morning with Tom Ellis, Kevin Alejandro and Tricia Helfer.

We met some amazing attendees and throughly enjoyed meeting all the actors and hearing their stories. They were all hilarious and all very engaging. They LOVE their show and the fans too. And the fans LOVE them right back. All the fans were well versed in the show and at times stumped the actors with their questions. It truly was a lovefest and it was sad it was only two days. They mentioned maybe doing another in Chicago in 2020 and we will definitely check it out if they do.

Friday, August 30, 2019

[Not Toto-ly Solo] -- I'm a fan of Toto. I mean the band, though I suppose that little dog is cool, too. Now, much of what I like about Toto's recordings comes down to the fret work of cool hand Steve Lukather. Even before Toto released their first record, Lukather was a regular guitar slinger in recording studios. He can be heard on countless records for a variety of artists. But until very recently, I did not know that he had recorded his first solo album and released it August 28, 1989 -- 30 years ago this week! It came about because Toto mutually decided to take a bit of a break after 11 years together. But it wasn't a fully solo project. No, Steve Lukather took the songs he had written, songs that had not yet appeared on a Toto record, and worked them with such recording luminaries as Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens, Richard Marx, and Jan Hammer. He even included fellow Toto members, Jeff Porcaro and David Paich, in the mix. As far as I can tell, Lukather (1989) features no singles, but a promo video was made for one of the songs, "Lonely Beat of My Heart." So, outside of that link, I'll feature the album in its entirety for this week's Flashback.

That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Friday, August 23, 2019

[Jefferson Tuna] -- This week in 1989, thirty years ago, Jefferson Airplane released their eighth and final studio album, Jefferson Airplane. There can be some confusion surrounding the whole Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship details, particularly in terms of who was in which band at which time and who owned what. Even here, vocalist Grace Slick had left the 80s rock band Starship, and a few other folks had been recording/touring as the KBC Band or as Hot Tuna. And I think that pretty much shows in the final project which ends up sounding closer to Hot Tuna (sort of?) than anything previously identifiable as Jefferson Airplane. Rolling Stone equated this reunion record with watching your favorite ballplayers trying to play well past their prime. Maybe there's something to that description. Anyway, there were three singles from this record, which itself peaked at 85 on the album chart (Billboard Hot 200P). Only two of the three singles charted, and only two received the music video treatment. Do you remember any of them? I have to admit that I didn't. But, as usual, you can read and hear more after the jump.

Friday, August 16, 2019

[Lucifer] -- I'm heading to LA today. The wife and I have tickets for A Salute to Lucifer, a convention for Lucifans. Now, across its four seasons, Lucifer, has been known for showcasing some excellent music. Check out the songlists here or here. But for the most part, there has been very little from the 80s featured on the show. So, I'm here to correct that oversight by offering up a few devilish tunes from our favorite decade. I tried to find songs that could still make sense if actually played during an episode. And that meant ruling out quite a few, shall we say, of the more metallic variety of songs. Still, I think I have a few overlooked gems for you, and one super popular song that I'm sure you've already guessed. Wondering if you've guessed correctly? Well, read and hear more after the jump! (And don't worry; Lucifer has been on Earth, so you're not jumping into Hell. Not yet anyway.)

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

There are no words to describe my grief over the series finale of this show. Jane the Virgin starring Gina Rodriguez tells the story basically of a Grandmother, mother and daughter and how they navigate the world we live in, all under the guise of a Telenovela.

To say that I love these characters, this show and their stories is an understatement. This show covers so many incredibly important topics and makes them so accessible. From virginity, to religion, to love, to friendship, to sex, to ageism, to racism, cancer, everything. I kid you not, this show has covered so much and so well. It is so sad that these stories will end and we will miss out on all the magic they create.

Gina Rodriguez is spectacular as Jane. She is my best friend and we don’t even know each other. She tells my stories as a woman and I learn about her life and struggles as a woman of color. But honestly that isn’t even part of the story any more. These are just people who speak a different language but speaking the exact same language as all of us. Humanity. All they want is love, friendship, peace and a place in society. Isn’t that what we all want?

Yes, there are crazy things that happen in this show but that is also what I love most about it. The “mundane” mixed with the “crazy”, sounds like life to me. I love that there are no punches pulled, they all land squarely where they should but resolutions are always around the corner. The mysteries are twisted and complicated and I have yet to figure one out but maybe I just don’t try as hard with this show because I WANT it to surprise me and challenge me and make me yell out... and believe me I have yelled at this show many times and I love it.

I already know that just because it has Telenovela attached to it, people will choose not to watch but I implore you to just go with it. Enjoy the crazy, enjoy the amazing writing, enjoy a 7 minute uncut dialog performed by Gina Rodriguez this season... but AFTER you watch all the episodes in all the years before it. You will be blown away by her talent and that of the writers and all the other actors and everyone involved in the show. You will definitely have moments where you think they are in your head and stealing your thoughts and I relish those moments.

The love stories are the best they can be. Soulmates, true love, amnesia, familial love, all of the love. This show consistently breaks my heart but in the most delicious ways. I have cried more tears for Jane than for This is Us (and we all know how much we cry at that show). This has become my family and I will miss them so much when they are gone. The fatherly love Rogelio has for Jane is the most precious love I have seen. I pretty much just assume this is a real family and they are just filming their lives for us.

I so want the cast and crew to see this post and to see my love for them and to hear my gratitude I have for them sharing everything they have with me/us. From the beautiful sets, colors, clothes, backdrops, writing, filming and acting, there will never be another show like this. I wish I could put my thoughts together better but I don’t know how. I just absolutely love this show and I want everyone else to love it to. I want you all to see what I see and feel the glowing heart that I feel with every episode. I will miss having Spanish spoken in my house every week and seeing what my friends are up to in Miami and the Mirabella.

I wish they could just keep telling me stories and making my heart glow until the end of time. Sounds like a Telenovela...

Friday, August 9, 2019

[Overkill] -- I came across Men At Work twice within the last week. Once in a TV show, and once again in my newsfeed. I figure that's good enough to make them the subject of this week's Flashback. Most people might recall their 1983 single, "Overkill." I would wager that many might think it was the only single from Men At Work's sophomore effort, Cargo (1983). Those folks would, however, be in error. "Overkill" was the second of four singles from that album. But it was the most successful of the four, being an international top 10 hit in Canada, Ireland, Norway, and the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2003, Men At Work vocalist, Colin Hay, released a solo album that featured an acoustic version of "Overkill." That acoustic version had also been featured on the NBC series, Scrubs. And this week, Sonic More Music posted Colin Hays' isolated vocals from the original recording of "Overkill." I hope you enjoy all three versions, which you'll find just after the jump.

Still catching up on comics I picked up during SDCC 2019. Here's one that was handed out for free at the company's booth: Neon Future #1.

This debut issue from Impact Theory Comics presents a world in which those with tech enhancements (the Augmented) are on the verge of war with those who shun such enhancements (the Authentic). The title of the book is the name of the resistance movement that wants to show how the future can be peaceful and harmonious: Neon Future.

The resistance movement takes desperate action in their bid for this future: When Clay Campbell, a reality TV star and darling of the Authentic, dies, Neon Future's leader, Kita Sovee (based on Steve Aoki), uses tech to bring Clay back from the dead. The hope is that this new Augmented will shift the balance in the ongoing struggle. Clay, of course, isn't exactly on board with this plan, but he will be forced to make a choice. And forced is the correct word, especially as he doesn't exactly know what his augments enable him to do ... yet.

The concept is compelling, and the art is beautiful (particularly the "after-life" Clay briefly experiences before his return).

Friday, August 2, 2019

[Hot Doggie!] -- I don't know if it's the weather, the thought of going back to school (which is where I first heard the tune), or something else, but "Hot Doggie" has been popping up in my mind for a while now. So, I'm going to share it with you as a very special Flashback. Colourbox was an English electronic music outfit active from about 1982 through 1987. They were on the 4AD label, the home of more etheric, gothic, dream pop acts like Dead Can Dance and This Mortal Coil. But Colourbox was nothing like their labelmates. Their more popular tracks were mishmashes of pop, rock, and other genres with soundbites from film and TV.

Case in point, the aforementioned "Hot Doggie." It seems to be a simple track of (synthesized?) guitar, bass, and drums, with dialog from The Evil Dead (1981), Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964), The Last Starfighter (1984), Death Wish 3 (1985), and Lifeforce (1985) sprinkled throughout. It's the lead track off the 1987 compilation record, or is it a concept album, Lonely Is An Eyesore (the album cover shown at the top of this post). And as I previously mentioned Colourbox being quite different from the rest of the 4AD bands, this record really nails that difference. After the upbeat intro of "Hot Doggie!," the rest of the record, though brilliant, feels like a bit of a muddy slog. For me, the best way to enjoy the atmospheric brilliance of Lonely Is An Eyesoreis by skipping "Hot Doggie!" And the best way to enjoy "Hot Doggie!" is all by its lonesome. So that's the one and only embedded track this week. Let's hear some music!

Flashback: "Well hot doggie!"

That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Friday, July 26, 2019

[The Great Conjunction] -- In honor of 1982's The Dark Crystal, which turned 35 in 2017, and its new spinoff series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, I thought this week's Flashback should revisit the original movie's soundtrack. The Dark Crystal was billed as the first live-action movie with no human actors on screen. And even without that distinction, The Dark Crystal was still an amazing feat of puppetry and animatronics. I like to say this film is a mix of The Hobbit (in terms of themes) and The Muppet Movie (in regards to the technical elements of bringing the characters to life). It is definitely one of the more creative movies of the early 80s, if not the entire decade. Jim Henson and Frank Oz -- with the help of David Odell (screenplay), Brian Froud (concept artist), and others -- created a fully fleshed out fantasy world of the planet Thra.

Speaking of "and others," Trevor Jones' musical score was -- let's say instrumental -- to that effective bit of world-building. The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on vinyl and cassette in 1982, CD in 2007, and digitally in 2017. In addition to the standard CD release in 2007, a limited edition CD set was also available, and it featured a reissue of the original soundtrack album on disc 1 and a previously unreleased film score on disc 2. For our purposes, I've embedded the the playlist for the reissue of the original 13-track score. Trevor Jones originally wanted to use acoustic instruments and strange electronics, but instead opted for an orchestral score performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy!

Flashback: "When single shines the triple sun | What was sundered and undone | Shall be whole, the two made one | By Gelfing hand or else by none." (prophecy about the Dark Crystal)

Well, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Friday, July 19, 2019

[Comics!] -- I'm currently in San Diego for the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). It started with Preview Night on July 17th, and it will roll through until Sunday, July 21. This year is the 50th anniversary of the venerable Nerdhalla. It was founded in 1970 as the Golden State Comic Book Convention. As it grew, this convention was later rebranded with the name we have come to know and recognize. SDCC bounced around to several locations in San Diego until it landed at the San Diego Convention Center where it has been held since 1991. SDCC is now widely recognized as a juggernaut of TV and film events. So much so that critics regularly complain it's "not about comics anymore!" However, there is still plenty of comic book related activity at SDCC, as Comic Spectrum pointed out last year and in 2016. To celebrate SDCC this year, I've selected several 80s tunes inspired by, or about, comic books. What made the latest playlist? Read and hear more the jump.

Monday, July 15, 2019

Print out all your confirmations: SDCC Merchandise pre-order, Exclusives Lottery wins, tickets to parties, anything that you think you can get on your phone, don't trust it and print it. Some places only accept the print out too.

Make sure you have binoculars, sunscreen, swimsuit, a few pairs of shoes, extra socks and underwear, and business cards if you are handing them out this year. If you are cosplaying make sure you have all the parts for your costume. And most of all, YOUR BADGE!

I was trying to go from memory for packing and I decided that I shouldn't trust that, so I pulled out my travel folder and found a fun checklist from Crazy for Comic Con's 2012 post!! It was perfect, it helped me remember to get the binoculars out and into my carry on. I love to use them when in our hotel room, if we are lucky enough to get a view.

Another fun thing that someone did and I "stole" :) was creating a secret Facebook group with your friends so that you can safely post where you are and when so a potential meet up could happen at any time. Instead of trying to text everyone or Tweet out your info publicly, I though this was a great idea. So I created one for my group of friends and I am hopeful it will work for us. *Crosses fingers and toes for good service in the center*

I also highly recommend using the My Sched that is offered by CCI. If your friends all use it and you are connected by social media then you can see your friend's schedules and see if anything overlaps. My hubby and I even use it for each other!!

Last but not least, have fun, be nice, sleep well and remember we are all here for the same reason... the love of comics and all that entails.

Friday, July 12, 2019

[High 'n' Dry] -- 38 years ago this week, Def Leppard released their second full length album, High 'n' Dry (1981). This record charted at #38 on the Billboard 200 in the US, and #26 on the UK's Albums Chart. Those are good rankings, but Def Leppard didn't really achieve breakout status until 1983, with their third album, Pyromania. And after the success of Pyromania, High 'n' Dry entered the charts for the 2nd time. The first time around, High 'n' Dry released two singles: "Let It Go" and "Bringing On The Heartbreak." The latter of the two was remixed and re-released as a single in 1984. This is a seminal record in the annals of hard rock history. But I have to admit, I didn't really pay attention to it until after Pyromania. But looking back on it, I can see Def Leppard's craft developing. Was it evident that their brand of working class hard rock was going to conquer the charts? Well, I don't know about that. But I do know the band's guitar riffs and vocal tracking were developing quite nicely. At least, if you're a fan of that kind of thing, and I definitely am.

For this week, I couldn't pick just three tracks. So, I'm featuring the entire album. Enjoy!

Well, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

So next week at this time we will be in San Diego anticipating the start of SDCC 2019, the 50th anniversary of SDCC. How amazing is that??

I am very excited for this trip and can’t wait to see all my friends and all the amazing panels and wares to be had on the floor. We don’t have many exclusives to get, except for one in the portal. We did our best to use our credits appropriately but only time will tell if it works out for us. Hopefully the 80th anniversary SDCC Batman will come home with us. What are you looking for this year?

I have some friends on panels this year so I was sure to put their times on my calendar and we always see the animated film on Friday night. Other than that there are no parties on the schedule with the ending of Game of Bloggers and the Hero Within closing party. While I am sad to not have the parties to go to and the time to see certain people, I am happy to have the time open. Hopefully we will still see everyone we want to.

What are your must do panels? Do you have any parties planned?

I am also just looking forward to being away and hanging out in San Diego. It is one of my favorite places to visit and the bonus of seeing my childhood best friend is a huge factor in my love of the area.

I hope everyone attending has safe travels and may all the odds be in our favor to get the exclusives we want and seats at the panels we want. Happy SDCC!!!!

Friday, July 5, 2019

[Enola Gay] -- August 6, 1945: A Boeing B-29 Superfortress dropped an atomic weapon on Hiroshima, Japan. It was the first atomic bomb used in combat. That bomb was codenamed Little Boy, and the plane that delivered it was the Enola Gay. 35 years, 1 month, 21 days later, the British synth-pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD) released "Enola Gay." "Enola Gay" was the first and only single from the band's sophomore album, Organisation (1980). Some fans apparently thought the song was a coded message that the band members were gay. But that's a misunderstanding. In fact, "Enola Gay" might very well be "the prettiest ever song about an atomic bomber," especially for an anti-war song. And for this week, I've selected three versions of it. You can check them out after the jump.

Friday, June 28, 2019

[Under-appreciated Seagulls] -- I missed a few weekends of Flashbacks. OK, so it was almost the entirety of June. But I'm back to finish June 2019 strong. And I'm doing so with A Flock of Seagulls. You remember A Flock of Seagulls, right? They were a UK synthpop band founded by two hairdressers (look at the image above and guess which guys had that gig). Now, if you're at all familiar with the Flock, then you know their big hits. So, this weekend, I'm going to feature a few of their more under-the-radar cuts. Ready to find out what's on the playlist this week? Read and hear more after the jump!

Monday, June 17, 2019

What a wonderful love story. Deep, sweet, intense, mysterious, and not at all what you think.

A beautiful Persian/Iranian woman comes to the US in order to find a husband and be able to stay in the US. She is a conflicted woman. She wants all the independence the US offers but she also needs to be an obedient Persian woman in order to find the right man who will marry her in a short amount of time. She has a sister and brother in law who are doing everything in their power to help her but can she find a husband before her visa runs out?

Spoilers

Until the very end of the book you don’t know if she will find a husband...and if he will be a good man.

There is Ike, Haroun, and Masoud. Ike is an American, Haroun is an Iranian businessman and Masoud who has a special secret and is too good to be true. This is a true romance novel that isn’t a romance novel. It is a full on love story but

it is really all about Tami learning to love herself, find herself and live the life she was always meant to live.

It is a gloriously beautiful story that every woman, regardless of nationality, should read. It can teach us so much about ourselves and how much we need to learn to love ourselves and put ourselves first. Her friends at her English Language class are just perfect sounding boards for Tami and for us. I want to be friends with these people. Her teacher not only teaches the characters in the book but the reader too about freedom and independence.

So back to the other love story, who will Tami choose? I so want to tell you but I would rather you read the book. I have trouble writing book reviews because I want to talk about it all but at the same time I don’t want to tell anyone anything without them reading it first. This book unfolds so beautifully and your emotions go all over and it is a just a beautiful ride. I have to leave it to you to read it and enjoy the ride on your own.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

I did not like the first half of the movie. It was hokey, long and disjointed. I felt like Mark Hamill was almost making fun of himself and it was distracting.

But once the second half started I was in it. I was completely engulfed in the story and wanting to know what was going to happen.

Simply put for me and this set of Star Wars movies is...I love Rey. I love Daisy Ridley as Rey. I love this character sooo much. I think Daisy portrays her perfectly and I could just watch a movie with just her and none of the others... well maybe BB8 ;)

I didn’t get the whole Emo Kylo Ren since I pretty much felt like he was just as he was previously. I was excited when Rey and he were working together and I wish he had changed but alas no. I LOVED him taking out Snoke and I did like the trickery with Laura Dern’s character and you thought she was one way but she wasn’t.

I did also love the comedy of the “nuns” on the island and I think the Porgs are adorable.

I want to watch this again already because I am pretty sure I missed some things but overall I give this 1 paw for the first half and 3 paws for the second half.

Friday, May 31, 2019

[Concrete Blonde] -- Depending on the resource, Concrete Blonde's self-titled debut album is listed as released in either 1986 or 1987. Either way, it is over 30 years old this year! I cannot quite recall when I first heard of Concrete Blonde, but I do know that "Still in Hollywood" still makes me rock out. While "Dance Along the Edge" is one of the most honest songs of the decade ("Can we promise love? Is it all too much? And do our old souls still believe it? It's insane the way we dance along the edge"). Yeah, Concrete Blonde got more notoriety in 1990 with "Joey," but this debut album is the one that has staying power for my money.

Flashback: Concrete Blonde (1986/87)

Once again, I remind you that the rule of three applies when doing Flashbacks. As I've made my three offerings, that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

So Brainwise asked me to DVR Blade Runner 2049 when we had free Cinemax. I’ve been curious about it too so I obliged. We finally got around to watching it the Saturday night of Memorial Day.

I vaguely remembered the original which I had seen once but Brainwise remembered enough to help fill in gaps.

This would have been a great movie... IF...if they cut down on the long drawn out scenes. Oh my goodness this movie was looooong and not in a good way at all. In fact a few times I sighed in frustration at the time scenes were taking. Cut all that out and you have a much better movie.

The concept was good and it was carried out well overall. The cinematography was excellent and the music was good although I am surprised I didn’t think it was great. It had a lot of sounds that I like but it just overwhelmed too much and I almost wished we turned off the closed captioning because the description of the music was laughable and unfortunately it did influence how I felt about the music in some scenes.

Jared Leto overdid his scenes and Harrison Ford just seemed to be going through the motions. I liked the twists the movie took but I did figure it out and I was sad about that. I would much rather had been surprised but perhaps if they didn’t have the long scenes to think about other things during, I might not have figured it all out :)

I sometimes base my feelings for a movie based on if I would watch the movie again...this one I would not BUT it is really just because it is too long with too many unneeded long scenes. I so wish it was edited better so I could be more into it.

Friday, May 24, 2019

[Overdriving for 33 Years] -- It was 33 years ago this weekend, AC/DC released their soundtrack album for the Stephen King flick, Maximum Overdrive. The album was titled Who Made Who (1986), and it had only three new tracks, the remaining six coming from previous records. The previous material includes the hits "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Hells Bells" (from Back in Black), and "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" (from, appropriately enough, For Those About to Rock We Salute You).

That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Monday, May 20, 2019

I’m so glad we went opening weekend because not knowing anything that was going to happen made the movie all the better for me.

I LOVED this movie! I don’t care about plot holes, fat shaming, pandering to women, none of it! This movie was perfection!! It was a perfect ending.

Please remember I have no connection to any of the comics for any of these heroes or storylines. I just love the characters and the stories they tell in these movies.

I loved that I got lost in the movie, I was immersed and I didn’t want to leave but at the same time I was good with everything that happened that was I was actually able to leave. And like always we stayed to the very end and I am so glad we did. Although there was no end credit to watch there definitely was one to hear. It was a lovely call back to the beginning OR was it a call to the next chapter?

There were lots of tears from me but the most were for “on your left”. I could not control it. This has been my favorite interaction in ALL of the movies. The friendship between Falcon and Cap is my favorite and this statement they use between themselves just makes me happy. I knew I knew the voice and then he said the line and I just lost it.

I should have had the most tears for Black Widow but I am ok with what happened. Black Widow is my favorite character and Scarlett Johansson portraying her is also my favorite. I cosplay as undercover Black Widow a lot and to watch her die was pretty powerful but in a good way (?). I get why she did what she did and I think it is the way it had to happen. It is a proper end to her character in these movies.

Then to lose Iron Man too! I was ok with that too. Doesn’t mean I didn’t cry but it was handled so well and again it just seemed to be what needed to happen.

I love the hope for the future of these movies. Falcon as Captain America being my favorite. I feel like I could keep going on and on but really just see it and you will understand. I can’t wait to see it again. I am sure I missed lots of little things and some things while I had tears in my eyes. I thank everyone involved in these movies. It has been quite the ride.

Monday, May 13, 2019

We went to see Captain Marvel at 9:30 am the same day we went to see Avengers: Endgame. It was the only Marvel movie we hadn’t seen yet and we definitely didn’t want to see Endgame without seeing it. So us and about 10 other people watched the awesomeness that is Captain Marvel.

I really liked this movie. It was funny, heartwarming, action filled, good story telling, and a great movie for girls/women to cheer for. And cheer I did.

I loved that Carol Danvers never spoke to the males who put her down or even discussed it. In fact, the male treatment of women was never really discussed in the movie. Carol just showed how she was equal, or even better. I appreciated that so much.

I especially loved Goose but if you look at our blog, you could guess that. Goose was adorable and sooo important to the story. I adored Nick Fury’s interaction with Goose and was pretty sure Goose was the cause of the eye issue for Nick.

I loved Maria and her daughter Monica and I am hopeful they were continue in the Marvel universe. I loved seeing Coulson starting out and how he worked with Fury. I just really liked this movie.

My only complaint is that the movie was too dark to see the action scenes most of the time. In fact, I even missed what happened in one of the scenes. I know that Game of Thrones people said it was the settings on the TVs when the same complaint was made about a recent episode of GoT so what would cause this in a movie theater?? I look forward to seeing this movie again on my TV and hopeful I will be able to see what I missed - as long as my setting are correct ;)

I give this movie 4 paws and I am soooo happy we saw it before Endgame. It was definitely an added bonus to seeing Endgame and my feelings throughout that movie.

Friday, May 10, 2019

[Breakout] -- Swing Out Sister started out as a trio, but became a duo during the making of their sophomore album. Fortunately, that duo still included vocalist Corinne Drewery. As an act, Swing Out Sister has a catalog of 10 studio albums, two of which were recorded and released in the 80s. In fact, their debut album, It's Better to Travel, was released 32 years ago as of tomorrow, May 11. So, let's celebrate SOS's anniversary with some selections from that debut album. I know you're wondering if your favorite made the cut. And to find out, you'll have to read and hear more after the jump.

Friday, May 3, 2019

[Goodbye Dad - Redux] -- There was no Flashback post last week, and there isn't a proper one this week. Last week, I rushed to my Dad's bedside because his condition had worsened and the prevailing wisdom was that he was close to leaving us. He actually improved slightly, but not enough to really merit a celebration. It was simply a postponement of the grief to come.

Dad's condition continued to decline into the beginning of this week. There was an unidentifiable (yet treatable) infection, fluid continued to build up around and in his lung, and his liver was failing. As it turns out, the only diagnosis that could be made was that he was rejecting the transplant (bone marrow and stem cells) from 2010. Or, more technically accurate, the transplant was rejecting him. So, I picked a few songs to work through what we need to work through. If you care to join me, you can read and hear more after the break.

Friday, April 19, 2019

[1+9+8+2] -- I have something of a treat for you 80-philes this weekend. English rock band, Status Quo, is anything but the status quo. They formed in 1962 and they are still active -- that's six decades of recording and performing! Seven of their 32 studio albums were released in the 80s. They even performed at Live Aid in 1985. Yes, the lineup has changed over time, and so has their sound. In the 80s, they were still playing the hard boogie rock style they had adopted in the 70s. 1+9+8+2 (1982) was their 15th studio LP, and it represented the 20th anniversary of the first meeting between guitarist Francis Rossi and bassist Alan Lancaster. Hence the XX ("20" in Roman numerals) on the album cover ... and because 1+9+8+2 = 20. Now, even by the 80s, over 30 years ago, there was a sense of "been there, heard that" in regards to Status Quo. Some critics even said the band's late 70s and early 80s works were a parody of their earlier endeavors. And the critics weren't exactly wrong. But, maybe, not every record has to be groundbreaking and trendsetting. Sometimes, maybe, you need more of the same. Something comfortable to slip onto the turntable. And that's certainly the case with 1+9+8+2. It's not bad, but it's fun. You won't be humming these tunes an hour later, but while this record is spinning, you just might bob your head and tap your foot along with it. With that sincere plug, read and hear more after the jump!

Friday, April 12, 2019

[Your Moody Dreams] -- In April of 1986, the Moody Blues released their 12th studio album, The Other Side of Life. Although the Moody Blues are widely regarded as a 60s progressive band, this was the third of ultimately four records they released in the 80s. That feat certainly qualifies them to be considered 80s artists as well, then, yes? If releasing four albums isn't enough to qualify them, then maybe having seven top 40 rock singles does. And two of those tunes came from this very record. Long time fans of the Moody Blues might have been a bit disappointed, or even confused, by the band's embracing of synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines over their usual more symphonic sound. But new fans flocked to the record. The Other Side of Life peaked at #9 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart and it went platinum, meaning it sold well over 1,000,000 units in the US alone. Of course, the Moody Blues later proved they still had those symphonic chops with a live performance at Red Rocks, Colorado (1992). But, back to The Other Side of Life, "Your Wildest Dreams" was a massive hit for the band peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. And the title track, "The Other Side of Life," reached #11 on the Mainstream Rock chart after being released as a single in August 1986. "The Other Side of Life" was decidedly more plodding and introspective than "Your Wildest Dreams," so you might not recall that one. But I bet you're hearing the chorus of "Your Wildest Dreams" in your head now that you've read the title just a few times. Well, it's the very first track of this 33-year-old album, so if you join me in revisiting The Other Side of Life, you might purge that earworm by the time you finish the other eight songs.

Flashback: The Other Side of Life (1986) by the Moody Blues

That's all till next week, folks. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Friday, April 5, 2019

[That's the Book, That's the Book] -- I'm sorry, but the name of this week's band always makes me think of a particular song by ABC. Now, with that out of my system, we'll move forward with the post in earnest. Book of Love's self-titled debut album hit stores 33 years ago this week. This synthpop band came together in Philadelphia in 1983 with vocalist Susan Ottaviano and three keyboardists -- Ted Ottaviano (unrelated?), Lauren Roselli, and Jade Lee. Their first two singles -- "Boy" and "I Touch Roses" -- preceded the release of Book of Love (1986) by a year, and both did well on the US Club Play chart. The band's chart activity earned them a spot opening for Depeche Mode in 1986, also prior to them having an album. But when Book of Love was finally released, it got very little notice. Their third single failed to chart while their fourth and final single barely made the Top 20 -- again, speaking of the US Club Play chart, not Billboard. They would release one more album in the 80s, Lullaby (1988), and two more in the 90s -- Candy Carol (1991) and Lovebubble (1993) -- before disbanding in 1994. I consider them an unsung hero, or team of unsung heroes, of the 80s electronica and dance scene. So, what better way to revisit their debut release than spinning the entire record?

That's all till next week, folks. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

Friday, March 29, 2019

[R.I.P. Ranking Roger] -- This week 80s fans mourned the loss of Ranking Roger (born Roger Charlery), vocalist for The Beat (aka The English Beat) and General Public. You can read more about his background and rise to 80s stardom at the previous link, at the Guardian, the New York Times, and variousothersites. Roger had suffered a stroke last year. And just this past January, fans were informed that he had been diagnosed with two brain tumors as well as lung cancer. At the time of his death, he was only 56 years old. He leaves behind a catalog of nine studio albums, two of which were solo records, as well as compilations, live records, and collaborations with other artists. He also leaves behind five children, two of whom -- son Ranking Junior (Matthew Murphy) and daughter Saffren -- had performed with him in a revival band. Ranking Roger was musically active from 1978 to 2019. So there's no way I can do complete justice to his career. Still, I've selected a few of my favorite 80s tracks so we can attempt a proper sendoff. What's featured today? Read and hear more after the jump.

Friday, March 22, 2019

[Talking a Good Show] -- The Go-Go's were the first all-female band to top the Billboard album charts by writing their own songs and playing their own instruments. Yes, folks, there were several "girl groups" with writing and playing chops before The Go-Gos, but none of them cranked out hits quite like these ladies. And 35 years ago this month, they released their third studio album, Talk Show (1984), which peaked at #18 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Although the album was critically well-received, it was a commercial disappointment. Not sure that was due to a slight change in style or too many half-realized songs (as AllMusic claims), but Talk Show still has its gems. Talk Show also marked the last time the original lineup would record an album together ... until 2001. So, what tracks have I selected from the Go-Go's last album of the 80s? Read and hear more after the jump.

Friday, March 15, 2019

[What is Love?] -- In light of the racially motivated terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers, I just don't have the heart to go forward with my planned Flashback post. Instead, I'm taking a single track that was featured in my 11/4/2016 post on Electric Sun (Heavy Metal Hippie). To my knowledge, "What is Love?" was never released as a single. And I believe the world is poorer for that. Musically, this track muscles its way through nearly three and a half minutes of tasty guitar runs and just enough of a beat to bob your head or tap your foot in time. Roth's lead vocal isn't amazing, but the harmony vocals provided by the combo of Michael Flechsig, bassist Ule Ritgen, and Rainer Przywara more than make up for Roth's shortcomings. Lyrically, well, it lacks in philosophy, but it has that plaintive seeker mojo in spades. Or is that in crystals? You tell me.

What is love? Well, it's not in the actions of those cowardly stains who feel the need to gear up and shoot people who are guilty only of looking or worshipping in a different way. I do see love, however, in the outpouring of support for this and other maimed communities. This must increase. We must all strive for peaceful solutions in defusing hatred. We must believe that one day we can and will live together in harmony. If you're interested in that, too, click on over to New Zealand's Give Nothing to Racism campaign.

And now, let's give a spin to "What is Love?" from Beyond the Astral Skies (1985) by Uli Jon Roth and Electric Sun!

Flashback: "What is Love? | Does anybody know the answer?."

That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.